Category Archives: history

Notes of a Gentleman Trespasser

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

This summer, I’ve had the privilege of joining an illustrious group of scientists and historians on their re-explorations of historical estates in and around Philadelphia, of which there are many. Some of these places we have explored exist beyond the … Continue reading →

Posted in capers, history, nature | 2 Comments

Mr. B and Mr. P

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

This past month, I have been spending a good deal of time in the basement of an unassuming house somewhere in Central New Jersey. This is no ordinary basement: its walls are lined with thousands of books that span historical … Continue reading →

Posted in hidden river expedition, history | 3 Comments

Hidden River Expedition: Press Release, Itinerary

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

Here is the press release for the Hidden River Expedition, for those of you new to this little stunt of mine. I thought it would be a good idea to post the places and times for my upcoming kayak expedition, … Continue reading →

Posted in capers, hear ye, hidden river expedition, history | 3 Comments

Hidden River Expedition: A Talk With Arthur

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

Each Summer, I help the local Quakers with their bat counts. The attic of their meeting house, built in 1775, is home to a colony of large brown bats. As you know, white nose syndrome has decimated regional bat populations, … Continue reading →

Posted in capers, hear ye, hidden river expedition, history | 2 Comments

Peale’s Fabled Greenhouse

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

This week I visited what remains of Belfield, the onetime country estate of naturalist and artist, Charles Willson Peale. The property is now part of LaSalle University’s campus, but one can still make out much of the topography that was … Continue reading →

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Gentry

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

Last year, my friend Les gave me some old issues of a 50′s-era men’s magazine called Gentry. (Apparently there’s a Bay Area magazine by the same name that still exists, but I’m not sure if it is the same publication. … Continue reading →

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Wabi-Sabi Woodwork

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

Visited Shofuso Japanese House and Garden this week, which is a traditional-style Japanese house and nationally-ranked garden in Philadelphia’s West Fairmount Park. Shofuso was built in Japan in 1953 using traditional techniques and materials and exhibited in the courtyard at … Continue reading →

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Folk Abstraction

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

I would have loved to have seen this incredible collection of 650 quilts in person. It was on display at the Park Avenue Armory this week only, ending today. To have them up so briefly is understandable (we’re talking about … Continue reading →

Posted in art, history | 1 Comment

The Lenape Stone

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

On the top floor of the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA, you will find this 4 1/2-inch piece of stone. Upon closer inspection, you will notice markings depicting a woolly mammoth and small figures who seem to be fighting it. … Continue reading →

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Old Weird Philly: Catoxen Cabin

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Lord Whimsy

(Apologies for the flood of posts: I have amassed a large backlog of images lately, so I’m trying to catch up. — Ed.) This is Catoxen Cabin, which is found in a Quaker summer camp outside of Medford, NJ. It … Continue reading →

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